Hi, I am a little confused over hips/excersising etc. and was hoping somebody could give me some good advice. I have an 8 month Gsd(Shanti), who is to be hip scored when she is 12 months. I have been paranoid about over excercising her and have not let her run with other dogs (18 month old Lab, 11 year old Goldie) both other dogs will run for ages. She gets walked regularly on pavements and occassionsly let off to chase after ball (gentle throws) but never with others. Am I going horribly wrong here? should I be letting her go with others? Someone please help, I have had so much conflicting advise about what is right. Occassionally when we are out at the park, she will take off like a rocket and she is soo fast, but I worry if I let her go with other 2 she will get knocked about as they are very boisteress jumping all over each other etc. The 11 year old (Winnie) is still incredibly fit and can run as fast as the 18 month Lab(Tally) I did think about just taking Shanti and Winnie together, but it would by no means be a sedate run!! what do you think?? anyone?? I know muscle tone is important to xray outcome and the way to build muscle is to excercise right? Amy thoughts?? :-)

For what it's worth I'm letting my 6 ½ month old Malinois run with my other dogs, although I limit each walk to half an hour. :) I wouldn't personally worry about running around and playing and getting knocked about.Not when they are such similar sizes -be different if it was one little puppy and a much bigger adult. I've never stopped any of mine from playing with my other dogs.(And whether they were walked together or not, they still run around like mad and play rough in the back garden.) I can't see how that could cause problems -it's over exercising by going for long walks where the dog hasn't got much of a choice that is the thing to avoid.

I agree with Goldmali.

I have a GSD of 10 months, he has been running with my other dog since he was tiny.  I do limit his "exercise" to 5 mins per month per day and therefore he has no more than 50 mins outside either alone or with my other dog, however he does what he likes in the house/garden and has several training sessions per day of circa 3 mins each.

My dog will be hip and elbow scored at circa 12 months too but IMHO if he does not have robust joints, unduly restricting his exercise will just not highlight any weaknesses.

Ty Tohme, Over the last few days I have started walking Shanti and Winnie (extremely fit 11 yr old goldie) together. The first time I let them both off together Shanti looked at me in disbelief, I had to let her know it was ok to go after Winnie and then she just shot off. They ran side by side for about 5 mins and then Shanti spent her time going between me and Winnie who was about 100 metres in front. The walk lasted about 15 mins and then home. I have done this everyday for three days.

I have watched her like a hawk for any sign of discomfort, lameness, limping, stiffness etc but she has shown none. She has thoroughly enjoyed her 'free running' with Winnie and is totally up for it, after 9 months restrictive walking I don't think she can believe her luck.

Could you just put me straight on one point... I have always walked her short distances, since she was old enough on pavement, wanting to socialise her early, as she got older walks got slightly longer I (obeyed 5 min rule) thought this would build muscle, But having read through alot of old threads am now wondering if it's the free running which builds muscle. Put me right please....xx

You need differing types of exercise for different things, speed, stamina, etc.

So a combination of both is best.

Ty combination is what I've been doing so far I suppose but without the free running. 

Hi Shanti - no advice I'm afriad, I'm a fairly novice dog owner.. but I remember in your past thread about hip scoring you mentioned you were in wallasey, and I recognise your doggies' names - my aunty got 2 of your kittens from you a few months ago - George and Harry.  Well I'm assuming it was you, bit of a coincidence otherwise!!!!  Small world isn't it!?
~Clare

Clare, how lovely to hear form you !! it is a small world !! How are George and Harry doing, we all miss the kittens awwww, Hope they are not causing too much havoc!! Ann x 

George and Harry are fab - they're both really bold and mischievous!!!  Completely different to their previous cat, and much better suited to an 8 year old nutter of a child.  They live in St. Helens, so not seen them for a few weeks, but last time they were chasing eachother all over the place, rolling around, then coming for a cuddle.  Definitely a credit to you!!!  I'll get some up to date pictures and email them to you, so you can see how they've grown!!!!
~Clare

Ty Clare, Sherbet is pregnant again, Fizz has been spayed now, but Sherbet never give us the chance!! Next time she is getting locked up until she is done! kittens expected early Jan! The vet said I could still have her spayed pregnant, I was horrified, it just seems like abortion, I said 'thank you but no thankyou' just couldn't kill her babies, awwww.  Have heard from all the others in the litter too, they are all doin fine, drivin owners nuts!! Ann xx

You shouldn't have told me that!!!  I've regretted not getting a kittie when my Aunty got hers... oh dear, too many pets!!  I'll email soon.
~Clare

LOL, we are expecting around the beginning of January, What breed of dog are you into by the way? And Clare do you go on backgammon on the zone, think I might have played you lol!! speak soon, Ann x